Mumbai Police Rescue 20 Children Held Hostage At Powai Acting Studio; Accused Detained
Mumbai, October 30, 2025 — A major rescue operation unfolded in the Marol area of Powai after Mumbai Police successfully freed around 20 children who were allegedly held hostage inside an acting studio on Thursday. The accused, identified as Rohit Arya, has been detained for questioning.
According to reports, children attending an acting class were seen peeking out from glass windows and signaling for help, which alerted nearby residents. Police teams quickly cordoned off the area and launched a swift rescue operation to secure the safety of the minors.
Satyanarayan Chaudhary, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), confirmed that all the children were rescued unharmed and have been safely handed over to their guardians. “All the children are safe. Further details will be shared once the investigation progresses,” Chaudhary said.
Preliminary information suggests that the children had come from various locations to attend an audition session at the acting studio. However, the motive behind the hostage incident remains unclear at this stage.
Police have initiated a detailed probe to determine what led to the standoff and whether the accused acted alone. A large contingent of police personnel was deployed at the site, and the situation is now reported to be under control.
Authorities are currently recording statements from the rescued children and witnesses to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the shocking incident.
